A Co. Kerry farmer has today (Thursday, July 3) embarked on a marathon sheep shearing challenge for two worthy causes.

James O’Connor, a sheep farmer from Cloghane in west Kerry, kicked off ’50 Hours of Shear Craic’ at Dingle Mart this morning.

All money collected will be donated to the Kerry Hospice Foundation and the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Unit at St. Joseph’s National School in Castlemaine.

James said that this event is about giving back and making a difference where it really matters.

As part of the challenge James is shearing sheep in two-hour runs, separated by 30-minute breaks, until Sunday (July 6).

Over 2,000 sheep have been gathered by local farmers for the event. However, James said it is hard to know how many he will have sheared by the end of the challenge.

During the first run, James had sheared 115 sheep, but he said that pace may be difficult to maintain over the entire 50 hours.

Although he is an experienced sheep shearer, the farmer has been helped by a personal trainer over the past year to ensure he is physically and mentally prepared for the gruelling task ahead.

Speaking to Agriland after completing his initial round of shearing, James said that he felt "fresh" and was "looking forward to the rest of it".

The farmer was also given a boost when pupils from St. Joseph’s National School in Castlemaine arrived at Dingle Mart to cheer him on.

"It's like anything, you just put the head down and think of the kids and think of the Kerry Hospice, the reason I am doing it, that will carry me through it," James said.

James is being supported on this challenge by his wife, Stacey and his cousin Ilona O’Dowd, along with Roy and Jeff Collier, who are with him while he is shearing.

"His character has really shone through and his strength. I think it gives us all a bit of strength as well and made us all pull together and come together to do something so good," Stacey told Agriland.

"This is a year in the making really. When he had the idea at the end of last summer from then to now it's a lot of preparation on loads of different levels. It's not just about turning up on the day and doing it," she added.

Stacey thanked all of those who have helped bring the event to fruition, including Dingle Mart, farmers who provided sheep, hauliers and the wider support team.

Members of the public are being encouraged to support the challenge in any capacity they can through the ’50 Hours of Shear Craic’ fundraising page on iDonate.

"Anything that people have to donate, even just to come to support and see it. Even if people aren't from an agricultural background or don't have an idea about sheep shearing, come and see it.

"Everyone is in great form. There is high excitement, the music is pumping and there's loads of activities going on," Stacey said.